Post date: Aug 29, 2012 5:54:46 PM
HILVERSUM, NETHERLANDS (AUGUST 29, 2012) (NOS) - Passengers onboard a flight from Malaga to Amsterdam spoke on Wednesday (August 29) of their shock and panic when they discovered their aircraft was at the centre of a major hijacking alert after a loss of communications led authorities to fear the worst.
Passengers onboard a Vueling flight to Amsterdam stunned to learn that they were at the heart of a major hijacking scare.
The Spanish airliner was intercepted with two fighter planes and then surrounded by security forces to surround it on the tarmac at Amsterdam's airport in a hijack scare caused by a loss of radio contact.
The plane, flown by Spanish carrier Vueling from Malaga in Spain to Amsterdam with about 180 passengers on board, had lost contact with air traffic control
"There was an airplane on the way from Malaga to Schiphol which lost communication with Schipol during its flight. Moreover, the instructions were not completely followed by the plane, so the standard procedure was put into process, namely to escort the plane," Dutch anti-terrorism co-ordinator Erik Akerboom told NOS state television.
Once in the departure hall, passengers spoke of emotions ranging from surprise to panic.
"Everybody was shocked, the first moment. But then told me everything was okay," said Erna, one passenger.
Jeffrey Heilbron, another passenger added: "There was a little boy of I think about ten years old. He started to flip out ask what's doing, scream, yell. So, yeah, people ask: 'what the hell's going on?'"
As soon as the plane landed at Schiphol airport, it was surrounded by security forces and a negotiator was sent to talk to the crew. Passengers were allowed to disembark after the flight crew confirmed there were no hostages onboard.
NATO's Combined Air Operations Centre had notified the Dutch military after being alerted by air traffic controllers to the loss of contact.
Passengers had to remain on board the plane for hours while it was searched by police, but were later allowed to disembark and board buses.